How to Build an Indoor Bar

Measure the depth of a small refrigerator with a tape measure. Place the refrigerator close to a corner in your chosen room. Set it so that the side is four inches from one wall, with the door facing the other wall. Move the refrigerator away from the second wall a distance of about twice its depth. This will mean you can open the door easily once the bar is built over and around the refrigerator.

Saw three cross pieces of 2-by-4 lumber to the same length as your refrigerator's depth. Place two of them parallel to one another on the floor on either side of the refrigerator. One will be next to the wall; the second will be on the other side of the refrigerator. Place the third cross section in a parallel position to the first two six feet away from the refrigerator.

Calculate the length from the first piece, the one closest to the wall, to the third. This should be about six feet plus the width of your refrigerator. Use your tape measure to check this and cut a new section of 2-inch by 4-inch lumber to that length. Place this at 90 degrees to the other sections of wood, on the floor at the back of the refrigerator, to make a floor frame. Nail the three cross pieces to the new piece.

Complete the floor frame by cutting a six-foot piece of 2-by-4 lumber. Place this on the side opposite side the last one to connect the second and third cross pieces. Nail this in place. You should now have a rectangular frame with an additional part running around the back and to the side of the refrigerator. The gap in the floor frame has been left to allow the refrigerator's door to open unhindered on the bar tender's side.

Saw six vertical sections of 2-by-4 lumber to the same length. This will determine the bar's height and can be varied to suit you. As a guide, 42 inches makes a regular height bar. At each of the four corners of the floor frame nail a vertical section in place. Nail from the underside. Add the last two vertical sections at the two remaining middle intersections. You should now have four vertical sections at the four corners around where the refrigerator will go and a further two at the end of the bar. Screw at least one 4-inch L-bracket into the floor frame and corresponding upright at each of the intersections to complete the bar's frame.

Measure the height and width of each end of the bar's frame with a tape measure and saw two rectangles of 3/4-inch plywood to those dimensions. Nail them to the outside of the bar frame at either end. Use finishing nails for a neat look. Cut a third section of plywood at the same height as the first two but this time the length of the bar's frame. Nail this in position on to the outside of the frame to enclose the bar in a U-shape. Remember not to put it on the bartender's side. Sand down any rough edges.

Color the outward facing plywood with wood stain. Allow it to dry and varnish the bar. Move the bar into position and install the fridge. Stock the bar with a few favorite drinks. Consider mounting a strip light to the underside of the laminate work surface. Place some bar stools at the drinkers' side to complete the look.